Project HEADWAY: Managing Project Politics

November 16, 2017 3:00 PM EST (UTC-5)

Project and politics go hand in hand. While we don’t necessarily always like to admit that, that in now way changes the truth of the situation.

As project managers, politics is often a source of frustration and challenge. Despite our best efforts to plan, consult, collaborate and engage our stakeholders, we often have to respond to the unanticipated, the overwhelming and the unexpected. And while there is a belief that if we could just put in place better process—and have people follow it—that doesn’t change the reality that political dimensions shape and drive many of the unplanned situations we face.

The influence of politics is unquestionable. And politics isn’t going away. If we are going to be effective in delivering projects in todays organizations—whether public or private sector—we need to acknowledge and recognize politics as a means of getting things done. In fact, we need to embrace them.

In this webinar, Mark Mullaly explores the reality of politics in our projects: where it comes from, what it means and how it is often perceived. More importantly, he reframes politics as a necessary—and even useful—driver in the project management process. Rather than seeing politics as unwelcome interference, there is an opportunity to view politics as a fundamental way of exercising influence, managing expectations and engaging in action. Finally, he provides guidance, structure and a thinking framework in order to engage with, manage and influence the political processes orbiting and shaping your projects.

We all engage in politics. This presentation is an essential guide to reframing how we think about and perceive politics, and what effective political behavior actually looks like. Make sure to join us.